Under-stairs storage with a gas meter, electric meter or fuse box
6 min read · Snug Stairs team
In short
A meter or fuse box under the stairs does not stop you having fitted storage. The storage is designed around it, with a removable access panel or open section so readings, servicing and emergency access stay easy.
Why so many meters live under the stairs
In many UK houses — especially 1930s semis and post-war homes — the gas and electric supplies enter near the front door, so meters and the consumer unit end up in the under-stairs cupboard.
The golden rule: keep access
Meters need to be read and serviced, and a consumer unit must be reachable quickly in an emergency. Storage should never be permanently fixed over them.
- ✓Leave clear, tool-free access to the meter and isolation valve
- ✓Keep the consumer unit reachable without emptying drawers
- ✓Allow ventilation where the gas meter requires it
- ✓Never box a meter in so it can't be read
How storage works around a meter
The usual approach is to notch the drawers or unit around the meter and add a hidden access panel, or to leave a dedicated section with a door in front of it. From the hallway it still looks like one fitted run.
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Smart meters
Smart meters still need occasional physical access for servicing, so they are treated the same way as older meters.
Should I move the meter instead?
Moving a meter is done by your supplier or network operator and can be expensive and slow. In most homes designing the storage around it is simpler and cheaper.
What to tell us
Take a photo of the space showing the meter or fuse box and upload it when you reserve. Our surveyor plans the access panel before anything is cut.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have storage under the stairs with a gas meter?
Yes, as long as the meter stays accessible for reading, servicing and emergencies. Storage is notched around it with an access panel.
Can you put drawers in front of a fuse box?
Only if the consumer unit can still be reached quickly. We design a door or removable panel in front of it rather than fixing anything over it.
Do I need to move my meter to get under-stairs storage?
Usually not. Designing the storage around the meter is normally simpler and cheaper than having it relocated.